Employing self employed / ad hoc?

[Koochiemama]

There appear to be issues surrounding this, I would prefer to employ this way whilst my biz grows but I've read negative comments about it. I just can't employ people until I know the work is going to come rolling in, I'm in the process of starting a business) I already posted about this but no one replied :-(
It's a cleaning business - does self employed mean they bring their own cleaning supplies?

 

[Onetouchteam]

Whether someone is self of employed or an employee (as far as the HMRC is concerned) is not really something that you can decide for yourself, it depends on the terms of their engagement with you. So even if you treat someone as self-employed, the HMRC might consider them an employee. The HMRC website has a useful guidance page on this. This site won't allow me to attach the link, but if you do a google search on 'hmrc self employed or employee' it will come up.

 

[simon field]

Get people (subbies) who will be doing other work for other people as well.

 

[BustersDogs]

You might be able to find someone who is already doing cleaning, in which case you can ask them to work for you on and off. My insurance company will only cover self-employed people who cover work for me if they have their own insurance - lots of people doing these sorts of jobs sadly don't bother, so I struggled to find someone.

You might be able to find someone who doesn't want much work to come and join you every now and then. When the work builds up to too much for them, you will at least have more hours to offer someone else. My first employee started on 2 hours a week. When he left to go to uni 9 months later I had a 10 hour week job to offer someone, with potential for more, and I now have 4 permanent staff. He's now back from uni and is training to take over much of my role as I've got another few projects going that I need to work on.

 

[Koochiemama]

Thank you both for your comments, I would prefer subbies but can't imagine cleaners to have self employed status???

 

[BustersDogs]

Not sure why not if they work in private homes? Unless they're not declaring of course...

 

[Koochiemama]

Exactly that might be my problem and if mine is their only job tax office will class them as employed by me :-(

 

[LancashireMan]

Lots of cleaners are self-employed. In the building where I have my business. 5 businesses use 3 separate cleaners - all of whom are self employed and cleaning at other places elsewhere in addition to my building. I thought it was the norm.

 

[Franny7]

There appear to be issues surrounding this, I would prefer to employ this way whilst my biz grows but I've read negative comments about it. I just can't employ people until I know the work is going to come rolling in, I'm in the process of starting a business) I already posted about this but no one replied :-(
It's a cleaning business - does self employed mean they bring their own cleaning supplies?

If you are running your business using the agency model, then yes, your cleaners are usually self-employed. But to get to the question. In most cases, clients provide their own cleaning material & products (Regular cleaning and One off Cleaning) EXCEPT in end of tenancy cleaning. For added value, you can give your clients the option to provide them with cleaning material BUT at an additional charge. The other option is: If the cleaner buys the products then they can present the receipt to the client for a full refund. Whatever the case- you must agree it with your client beforehand. I know it's tricky as cleaning agencies don't normally buy and store cleaning products so this is the only way around it. The cleaner shouldn't be expected to cover the cost of the cleaning products UNLESS they are the ones who set their hourly rate i.e subcontractors. Inbox me if you need any additional help.

 

[BustersDogs]

I've had cleaners who bring their own products because they like them better. I don't pay for them, because I supply everything that's needed (at least to my standards anyway). To buy their own was their own choice. All of the cleaners I've had have done this, only one was through an agency, and I know she bought her own as the agency told me their cleaners wouldn't use bleach (due to accidents and claims I expect), and the cleaner they sent brought about three difference kinds with her.